After a loss to the 6-1 San Francisco 49ers last Sunday in the Bay Area, the Browns head out to Houston to take on the division-leading Houston Texans.
The big storylines heading into this week's game are the absences of the two biggest stars for each team.
Andre Johnson and Peyton Hillis were both ruled out of this Sunday's game.
For Hillis, it has been a nightmarish season. Madden Curse or no Madden Curse, it has been absolutely miserable.
Between ongoing contract negotiations (or lack thereof), his phantom hamstring injury, strep throat and missing a children's event, everything has been going against Hillis this season. And because of the Hillis situation, the entire Browns offense has taken a huge hit.
The running game is nowhere to be found, ranked 29th in the league, and with Hillis and Montario Hardesty both out with injury, it has been up to former Texan Chris Ogbonnaya to take the reigns and lead the Browns rushing attack. Ogbonnaya has filled in admirably, but the bottom line is that the running game is flat-out horrible.
The lack of a running attack hasn't helped Colt McCoy either. He's been under a lot of pressure thanks to a mediocre offensive line, and has made poor decisions, turning the ball over and fumbling in important situations.
The Browns offense needs to find some sort of rhythm this week if they expect to do anything against the Texans.
The Texans defense is what could really cause the Browns some trouble. They are ranked third in total defense, including fifth in pass defense and sixth in rush defense. The Browns have faced some good defenses this year, but this could be the biggest test so far.
It should be an interesting battle between the Browns and Texans, and you can follow all of the action here on Bleacher Report.
Updated score: Game is to kick off at 1:05 p.m. ET.
Washington Nationals Jonathan Albaladejo Andrew Brackman A.J. Burnett Steve Garrison Phil Hughes
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